ontogenesis

OK, i'm not real sure this is the best place for this question...if it belongs somewhere else let me know...

i'm planning on installing an LT1 manifold, i was told that i could do it with a tpi computer & wiring harness...problem is that i don't have a bunch of sensors on my car and don't really want many (oil pres., tach, speedo, fuel)...is there anyway i can get the tpi computer to work with just bare essentials? would it be possible to just use a laptop and a minimal amount of sensors? What sensors are absolutely critical? I assume i need an o2 sensor but other than that i'm clueless....i know i probally sound like a moron, but i've always ran a carb, i like computers...but not mixed with cars, and i'm trying to change that, so if someone could just get me started in the right direction i'd probally be ok figuring the rest out by myself...

86FyrBrd

iTrader: (1)

I hihgly doubt it, but Im not sure.


But heres why I dont think so, when TPI has a problem and throws a code to turn on the SES light, it then reads off of predetermined values for all/some of the sensors. So you'd valuntarily have it reading predetermined settings. The TPI would need all values present unless someone reprogrammed the whole computer, not just the chip. so it wouldnt know certain things it needs to, if not it will give you sh**TY performance and sh**TY milage I think

ontogenesis

i could see where that'd be a problem...how many sensors am i gonna have to buy to get everything i need? my car was carb'd originally...and all the sensors and computer and everything went to the junkyard and are gone...i gotta start from scratch

86FyrBrd

iTrader: (1)

Knock sensor
MAF Sensor or whatever sensors go with the Speed Density System
Coolant temp Sensor
Oil Pressure
Intake air temp


Im not sure what else

tpi_roc

Sensors are your friend....


The only thing you're doing is trying to save yourself from mental confusion.

I suggest instead of lessening the amount of sensors, increase your knowledge of what they do. They all obviously hvae a function, and aid in life and performance of your car.


Eventually learn to prom tune and really put it to work

good luck

tpi_roc

How are these (or anything) gunna matter without a TPS ?

86FyrBrd

iTrader: (1)

I knew I was forgetting an obvious one

Jza

When you start playing with FI, you'll find out that TPIs already have a bare essential collection of sensors. You don't have all that goofy crap like fuel tank pressure sensors and whatnot.

TPI is simplistic in nature and a great place to start. tpi_roc put it perfectly when he said to increase your knowledge rather than decrease the sensors.

People should start to realize that all the sensors are there for a reason; you can't really "get by" without any one of them just because you think it's unimportant. Humans have two eyes. Why not just one? You can still see, right? Well, the difference in input between the two eyes is what gives us depth perception. Same way from the computer. The MAP sensor tells the computer how much vacuum is in the intake, but it's the combination of inputs from that and the TPS that tells the motor just how hard it's working.

Anyway, if you have to buy all the sensors from scratch, and you don't have the computer yet, you might go ahead and pick up the speed density version (90-92). That'll save you a couple hundred dollars worth of sensor (note the singular). You'll have to do some tuning to get it nice with the LT1 intake, but it'll still run until you get to that point.

Jza

Hehe, you'll be stepping out of the stone age and into the bronze age. (it's prettier and costs more, but still ancient as hell)

Bort62

I can speak from experiance -

Going from Carb to EFI, Sensors ARE your friend.

You need:

CTS
IAT
KS
VSS
MAP
TPS

And then all the misc stuff with the dist wich Isnt really a sensor, yet still nessicary.

That's really not that much. Coolant Temp, Intake Air Temp, Knock, Vehicle Speed, Manifold Absolute pressure, and Throttle Position.

Being able to see the values for all of these in realtime is invaluable.

ontogenesis

it's not a matter of me not understanding what sensors do or why i need them, it's a matter of me shelling a ****load of money to change from a carb to a FI setup for no reason other than gas mileage and cold starting capability and not wanting to spend more than i have to for sensors. i still need an ecm (anybody have any recommendations for one? i've seen several for 90-92 vettes for decent amounts but do i i specifically need a certain year range and specifically f-body?) and a wiring harness (what's painless sell the tpi harnesses for?)

i'd ask what i need to program proms, but i assume it's just some software and an eeprom burner...but i'd probally be better off askin in the prom forum...

thanks for all the help guys...

P.S. all you FI guys know in your hearts that carbs are better